Word
racism
US/ˈɹeɪˌsɪzəm/
UK/ɹˈeɪsɪzəm/
Definitions
01prejudice or discrimination
n. unfair treatment or dislike of people because they belong to a different race or ethnic group.
n. prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one's own race is superior.
“The organization works hard to fight racism in local schools and workplaces.”
“The report highlighted how casual racism in the workplace can create a hostile environment for minority employees even when it is not overt.”
02the belief in racial hierarchy
n. the false belief that some human races are naturally better, smarter, or more capable than others.
n. the ideology or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human racial groups determine cultural or individual achievement.
“Scientific racism was used in the past to justify very cruel laws.”
“The pseudo-scientific theories of racism that emerged in the nineteenth century were used to provide a moral veneer for colonial expansion.”
Synonyms
03systemic or institutional
n. laws, rules, or social systems that give advantages to one race while treating others unfairly.
n. the collective failure of an organisation or society to provide an appropriate and professional service to people because of their colour, culture, or ethnic origin.
“The protesters called for an end to systemic racism in the legal system.”
“Sociologists argue that systemic racism can persist through housing and education policies even in the absence of individual prejudice.”
Academic
Usage
Often used with modifiers like 'institutional', 'systemic', or 'structural'.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“Employers should be required to take active steps to prevent racism.” “He wanted to see how bad the racism was and he experienced it first-hand when refused service in a pub.” “You need to raise the issue of race and racism not as a special thing, but as part of business as usual.” “Racism will affect candidates before, during and after job interviews in many more ways than I’ve described.” Etymology
Borrowed from French racisme, equivalent to race + -ism.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
Related words
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/racism